With seven days left in the transfer window, there’s plenty of speculation on who’s staying put, who’s leaving, and whose status among those former groups can be altered by gobs and gobs of cash.
[ MORE: Ten ‘must-buy’ targets for the Premier League ]
With Kevin De Bruyne reportedly headed to Manchester City as soon as Tuesday, Gedion Zelalem on loan to Rangers, and Mario Balotelli looking like likely for a loan to AC Milan, let’s dig into more rumors.
The crazy rumors of Neymar moving to Manchester United before the close of the window seem absurd given Barcelona’s sale of Pedro and lack of new talent until January finds the end of the Spanish side’s transfer ban. But it hasn’t stopped Barca boss Luis Enrique from having to answer to the rumors.
Enrique said he won’t comment on rumors, specifically ones involving Neymar and other clubs. Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said he’s content with Wayne Rooney, Chicharito, Marouane Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson as his forwards, and that he’s only going to add a striker if the man in question is the best in the world (which could perceptibly be a nod to Neymar, but likely isn’t):
Does Antoine Griezmann count? Atletico Madrid’s dynamite attacker is equal parts productive and promising, and would reportedly cost the Red Devils somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 million. It’d be a delight to see him in the Premier League, and Atleti would be able to reinvest, as usual, a sum that high into many prospects and immediate contributors.
Out of favor Johnny Evans could be sliding from Manchester United to join ex-teammate Darren Fletcher at struggling West Bromwich Albion. The move would be a $12 million sale according to The Express.
And of course there’s Karim Benzema pouring cold water over his rumored Real Madrid departure.